Should India Rest Jasprit Bumrah Ahead of Upcoming Test Series?

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has called for star pacer Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for the second Test against the West Indies, starting Friday at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, citing concerns over his workload management. Despite Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad and his pivotal role in India’s innings-and-140-run victory in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Nayar emphasised the need to preserve the 31-year-old for future challenges, including a Test series in South Africa and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The selectors’ decision to exclude Bumrah from the upcoming ODI series against Australia suggests a focus on securing a win in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, where India currently leads with 68.06% points. Nayar’s comments, aired on JioStar, underscore the delicate balance between immediate team goals and long-term player sustainability in a packed cricket calendar.

Nayar also praised the performances and potential of several Indian players, spotlighting KL Rahul’s transformed approach after his century in Ahmedabad—his first in nine years. “KL Rahul knows the Delhi pitch well, having scored over 500 IPL runs here. His intent has changed; he was disappointed not to convert his tonne into a bigger score,” Nayar noted, predicting another strong showing on a batsman-friendly surface. Similarly, he lauded wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, whose century in the first Test showcased “control and technique” suited for Test cricket. Nayar highlighted Jurel’s aesthetic run-scoring, which instills confidence in his longevity at the elite level. Meanwhile, spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed four wickets in Ahmedabad, was tipped to thrive in Delhi due to his familiarity with the venue and the pitch’s skid-friendly nature, making him a key asset against visiting teams.

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite a brisk 36 in the first Test, was backed by Nayar to deliver a match-defining innings in Delhi. “Jaiswal is unstoppable once he gets going. He’s hungry after missing out on a big score,” Nayar said, citing the 23-year-old’s aggressive style and the fast outfield as ideal for a breakout performance. Conversely, Nayar issued a warning to Sai Sudharsan, who managed only seven runs in Ahmedabad. With Rishabh Pant’s impending return threatening the top-order slot, Nayar stressed, “Sai won’t get a better chance than this on a flat Delhi pitch. If he doesn’t score, questions will arise.” Sudharsan’s underwhelming outing has intensified scrutiny, especially with Jurel’s emergence as a dual-role contender, highlighting the fierce competition within India’s batting lineup.

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The broader context of Nayar’s remarks reflects India’s strategic planning for the WTC, where a 2-0 series win could solidify their position ahead of challenging tours. Bumrah’s workload, averaging 25 overs per Test this year, remains a critical concern, with injuries sidelining him in 2022-23. Nayar’s advocacy for rest aligns with expert calls to prioritise pace bowlers’ longevity, especially with Mohammed Shami’s return looming. As India aims to maintain momentum against a West Indies side reeling from their Ahmedabad collapse, the Delhi Test will test both tactical selections and individual hunger, with Jaiswal, Rahul, and Kuldeep poised to shape the outcome. For Sudharsan, it’s a make-or-break moment to cement his spot.

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